Mobile terminal having rotating input device and method for operating the mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

A method for displaying icons on a mobile terminal having a front side and an opposing rear side includes displaying a plurality of icons on a display located on the front side of the mobile terminal, receiving user input responsive to user-driven rotation of a rotatable wheel located on the rear side of the mobile terminal, and selectively highlighting individual icons of the plurality of icons responsive to the user-driven rotation of the wheel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit ofearlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No.10-2007-0004212, filed on Jan. 15, 2007, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal having a rotatinginput device to operate the terminal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The related art mobile terminal has a rotating input device on a frontsurface or a side surface of the mobile terminal. It is not easy for auser to operate the rotating input device with only one hand whileholding the mobile terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a method fordisplaying icons on a mobile terminal having a front side and anopposing rear side. The method includes displaying a plurality of iconson a display located on the front side of the mobile terminal, receivinguser input responsive to user-driven rotation of a rotatable wheellocated on the rear side of the mobile terminal, and selectivelyhighlighting individual icons of the plurality of icons responsive tothe user-driven rotation of the wheel, allowing a user to easily operatethe mobile terminal with one hand.

Preferably, the plurality of icons is displayed in a generally circulararrangement. More preferably, one of a plurality of indicators isdisplayed within a substantially central region defined by the generallycircular arrangement of the plurality of icons, wherein each of theplurality of indicators is uniquely associated with one of the pluralityof icons. Also preferably, each of the plurality of indicators is anenlarged version of the associated icon.

Another aspect of present invention is to provide a method fordisplaying icons on a mobile terminal having a front side and anopposing rear side, the method including displaying a plurality of iconson a display in a generally circular arrangement, receiving user inputresponsive to user-driven rotation of a rotatable wheel located on aside of the mobile terminal which is opposite to a side on which thedisplay is located, and selectively displaying, responsive to the userinput, one of a plurality of indicators within a central region definedby the generally circular arrangement of the plurality of icons, whereineach of the plurality of indicators is uniquely associated with one ofthe plurality of icons.

Preferably, each of the plurality of indicators is an enlarged versionof the associated icon. The method may initiate one of a plurality ofmodes associated with the selectively displayed indicator in response tosensory touching of the selectively displayed indicator. The pluralityof modes includes at least one of a camera mode, a music mode, a videomode, a calendar mode, an email mode, a calendar mode, and a contactlist mode.

Yet another aspect of present invention is to provide a method foroperating a mobile terminal having a front side and an opposing rearside, the method including displaying a plurality of icons on a displaylocated on the front side of the mobile terminal, receiving user inputresponsive to user-driven rotation of a rotatable wheel located on therear side of the mobile terminal, and indicating one of the plurality oficons responsive to the user-driven rotation of the wheel.

The method may also include selecting a menu mode in response topressing a key button or the wheel in order to display the plurality oficons corresponding to a plurality of menu items. Alternatively, themethod may include selecting the indicated icon in response to pressinga switch located on the rear side of the mobile terminal. The method mayalso include selecting the indicated icon in response to pushing thewheel. The method may further include selecting the indicated icon inresponse to sensory touching of the icon.

Preferably, the plurality of icons is displayed in a circulararrangement. More preferably, the indicated one of the plurality oficons is displayed within a central region defined by the circulararrangement of the plurality of icons. Also preferably, the indicatedone of the plurality of icons is an enlarged version of the associatedicon displayed in the circular arrangement.

The method may further include rotating the wheel to move to a next iconamong the plurality of icons and displaying a control indicator foradjusting one of volume and zooming. The method may also includerotating the wheel to adjust the volume or the zooming. Preferably, oneof the plurality of icons corresponds to a camera mode for operating acamera.

Yet another aspect of present invention is to provide a mobile terminalincluding a display located on the front side of the mobile terminal anddisplaying a plurality of icons, an input unit located on the rear sideof the mobile terminal and comprising a rotatable wheel, the input unitreceiving user input responsive to user-driven rotation of the rotatablewheel, and a control unit selectively highlighting individual icons ofthe plurality of icons in response to rotation of the wheel.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a mobileterminal having a front side and an opposing rear side, the mobileterminal including a display for displaying a plurality of icons in agenerally circular arrangement, an input unit comprising a rotatablewheel located on a side of the mobile terminal which is opposite to aside on which the display is located, the input unit receiving userinput responsive to rotation of the rotatable wheel, and a control unitcontrolling the display to selectively display, responsive to the userinput, one of a plurality of indicators within a central region definedby the generally circular arrangement of the plurality of icons, each ofthe plurality of indicators being uniquely associated with one of theplurality of icons.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodimentsthereof with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a mobile terminal having arotating input device according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a part of the mobile terminal having therotating input device according to the embodiment of the presentinvention illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the mobile terminal having the rotating inputdevice according to the embodiment of the present invention illustratedin FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a rotatable wheel of the mobile terminal havingthe rotating input device according to the embodiment of the presentinvention illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the rotatable wheel of the mobileterminal having the rotating input device according to the embodiment ofthe present invention illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the rotatable wheel of the mobileterminal having the rotating input device with a first elastic memberaccording to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG.1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lens opening and closing unit of themobile terminal having the rotating input device according to theembodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the lens opening and closing unitof the mobile terminal having the rotating input device according to theembodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a frame of the mobile terminal havingthe rotating input device according to the embodiment of the presentinvention illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a view of the rotatable wheel and a Hall sensor of the mobileterminal having the rotating input device according to the embodiment ofthe present invention illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 11 to 16 illustrate operations of the mobile terminal having therotating input device according to the embodiment of the presentinvention illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawing figures which form a part hereof, and which show byway of illustration specific embodiments of the invention. It is to beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in this technological field thatother embodiments may be utilized, and structural, electrical, as wellas procedural changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similarparts.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mobile terminal having a rotatinginput device includes a display 100, a rotatable wheel 200, a lensopening and closing unit 300, a frame 400, a camera 500, and a supportplate 600. Referring to FIG. 1, the display 100 is provided on a frontsurface of the mobile terminal. The rotatable wheel 200 is provided on arear surface of the mobile terminal. The rotatable wheel 200 isrotatably mounted on the frame 400.

Referring to FIG. 2, the camera 500 is installed at an inner side of theframe 400. A front portion of the camera 500 is insertedly positioned ina through hole formed at the central portion of the frame 400.

With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the support plate 600 having acircular shape is provided at a lower side of the camera 500 in order tosupport the camera. A pressing protrusion 610 is formed in acircumferential shape on a lower surface of the support plate 600.

With reference to FIG. 1, the terminal includes a PCB (Printed CircuitBoard) 900. The PCB 900 includes a fixed signal terminal 912 formed in acircumferential shape at an interval corresponding to an interval of thepressing protrusion 610. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a Flexible PCB(FPCB) 800 is connected with the PCB 900 by circuitry.

With further reference to FIG. 1, a dome switch 920 is mounted at anupper side of the fixed signal terminal 912. The dome switch 920 isformed at the upper side of each fixed signal terminal 912 and includesa variable signal terminal 922 formed on an inner surface thereof. Whenthe dome switch 920 is pressed, the variable signal terminal 922 makescontact with the fixed signal terminal 912.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the support plate 600 is mounted at anupper side of the dome switch 920. Because the pressing protrusion 610of the support plate 600 is positioned at the upper side of the domeswitch 920, the dome switch 920 is pressed toward the fixed signalterminal 912 through the pressing protrusion 610 when the rotatablewheel 200 is pressed down,

With reference to FIG. 2, a motor 700 is provided at a side of thecamera 500. The motor 700 includes a lead screw that is movable up anddown when the motor is rotated. A vertical movement protrusion 720 isconnected to the lead screw. The vertical movement protrusion 720includes sloped faces which slidably contact slope faces of a rotaryprotrusion 322 (see FIG. 8) according to vertical movement of the leadscrew. When the vertical movement protrusion 720 moves up according torotation of the motor 700, it contacts the rotary protrusion 322 toprovide a rotational force to the rotary protrusion, thereby rotatingthe rotary plate 320 shown in FIG. 8.

With further reference to FIG. 2, the FPCB 800 is connected to thecamera 500. A Hall sensor 810 is mounted on the FPCB 800, in which asignal terminal for operating the Hall sensor and a signal terminal foroperating the motor 700 are patterned. A foreign material infiltrationpreventing window made of a transparent material 460 is provided at thethrough hole formed at a central portion of the frame 400. The foreignmaterial infiltration preventing window 460 prevents infiltration of aforeign material, such as debris, into a lens of the camera 500 from theexterior.

When the rotatable wheel 200 is mounted on the frame 400, a fixingwasher 480 is fastened to a lower end surface of the circumferentialportion of the rotatable wheel. Fastening recesses 482 corresponding tofastening protrusions 230 (see FIG. 4) formed on a lower end surface ofthe circumferential portion of the rotatable wheel 200 are formed on thefixing washer 480. An outer portion of an upper surface of the fixingwasher 480 contacts the lower end surface of the circumferential portionof the rotatable wheel 200, and an inner portion of the upper surface ofthe fixing washer 480 contacts a stopping protrusion 412 of the framebody 410 (see FIG. 9) Since the fixing washer 480 is fastened to thelower end surface of the circumferential portion of the rotatable wheel200 and caught by the stopping protrusion 412 of the frame body 410, therotatable wheel 200 is prevented from being released from the frame 400.

With further reference to FIG. 2, the rotatable wheel 200 includes anupper surface, a slope portion extending downwardly from the uppersurface, and a circumferential portion extending downwardly from theslope portion. A through hole is formed on the upper surface of therotatable wheel 200 to expose the lens of the camera 500. With referenceto FIG. 3, icons indicating modes of the terminal are marked on theupper surface of the rotatable wheel 200.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 9, a thrust washer 470 is mounted onthe upper surface of the frame body 410. The thrust washer 470 ispositioned at an outer side of the support protrusion 420 and includestwo fixing recesses 472 insertedly fixed to the two movement protrusions430. The thrust washer 470 is mounted to support a hindrance protrusion220 of the rotatable wheel 200 when the rotatable wheel is mounted onthe frame 400, and has a thickness that corresponds to a heightdifference between the support protrusion 210 and the hindranceprotrusion of the rotatable wheel. The thrust washer 470 reducesfrictional contact when the rotatable wheel 200 and the frame 400 arerotated, allowing them to rotate smoothly.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a support protrusion 210 is formed on arear surface of the rotatable wheel 200. The support protrusion 210 isformed in a circular arc shape and its outer surface is integrallyformed with an inner surface of a circumferential portion of therotatable wheel 200. The hindrance protrusion 220 is protrusively formedon the rear surface of the rotatable wheel 200. The hindrance protrusion220 is formed in a circular arc shape and its outer surface isintegrally formed with an inner surface of the support protrusion 210.The hindrance protrusion 220 is formed such that both ends of thehindrance protrusion and both ends of the support protrusion 210 form anangle slightly greater than 45° clockwise and counterclockwise withrespect to the center of the rotatable wheel 200. In addition, thehindrance protrusion 220 has height lower than the height of the supportprotrusion 210. One or more fastening protrusions 230 are protrusivelyformed on a lower end portion of the circumferential portion of therotatable wheel 200.

With reference to FIG. 6, a torsion spring 240 is mounted on the rearsurface of the rotatable wheel 200. The torsion spring 240 includesprotruded end portions which are formed to protrude from both endsthereof in a direction perpendicular to a circumferential direction. Thetorsion spring 240 is fixed at a certain portion of both protruded endportions that contact both ends of the support protrusion 210. Also, thetorsion spring 240 is mounted such that a certain portion of its woundpart contacts with an inner surface of the hindrance protrusion 220.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the lens opening and closing unit 300that opens and closes the lens of the camera 500 is mounted on the frame400, and includes a fixed plate 310, a rotary plate 320, and a lenscover 330. An outer edge of the fixed plate 310 includes two circulararc portions connected by two linear portions. One circular arc portionfaces the other circular arc portion and one linear portion faces theother linear portion.

With reference to FIGS. 7-9, the two circular arc portions are mountedat the mounting protrusion 422 and each circular arc portion includes astopping recess 312 caught by the stopping protrusion 424 of the frame400 in order to prevent rotation of the fixed plate 310. A through holeis formed at a central portion of the fixed plate 310 to expose the lensof the camera 500.

With reference to FIG. 7, a lens cover 330 is provided at an upper sideof the fixed plate 310. The lens cover 330 includes first and secondportions.

Certain sections of the first and second portions of the lens cover 330are rotated centering around hinge shafts 332 on the upper surface ofthe fixed plate 310, thereby contacting each other and being separatedfrom each other when opening and closing the through hole formed at thefixed plate 310. In addition, one end of each of the first and secondportions of the lens cover 330 is fixedly connected to the rotary plate320, respectively, such that when the rotary plate is rotated in onedirection, the first and second portions of the lens cover 330 arerotated centering around the hinge shafts 332 to open the through holeformed at the fixed plate 310. Guiding protrusions 314 are formed on theupper surface of the fixed plate 310 in order to guide the first andsecond portions of the lens cover 330 when the first and second portionsof the lens cover are rotated.

With reference to FIG. 8, the rotary plate 320 is provided at a lowerside of the fixed plate 310. A through hole is formed at a centralportion of the rotary plate 320 to expose the lens of the camera 500positioned at a lower side of the rotary plate 320.

The rotary plate 320 is formed in an annular shape. A recess is formedat an outer circumferential surface of the rotary plate 320, in which acoil spring 340 is mounted. One side of the coil spring is connectedwith the fixed plate 310 and the other side of the coil spring isconnected with the rotary plate 320.

With further reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the coil spring 340 is mountedto provide an elastic restoration force to cause the rotary plate 320and the lens cover 330 to return to their original position when thefirst and second portions of the lens cover 330 are opened by rotationof the rotary plate 320.

A rotary protrusion 322 is formed on a lower surface of the rotary plate320. The rotary protrusion 322 includes sloped faces formed to slope ina vertical direction in order to change vertical movement to horizontalmovement.

With reference to FIG. 9, the frame 400 includes a frame body 410. Athrough hole is vertically formed at a central portion of the frame body410 and an outer wall is externally protruded from an upper end rootportion of the frame body to reach an upper end in order to form astopping protrusion 412.

The protruded outer wall of the upper end of the frame body 410 has acircumferential shape and diameter which is a slightly smaller than thecircumferential shape and diameter of an inner surface of acircumferential portion of the rotatable wheel 200 such that theprotruded outer wall does not contact an inner surface of thecircumferential portion of the rotatable wheel 200 when the rotatablewheel is mounted on the frame 400. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 9, theheight of the protruded outer wall of the upper end of the frame body410 corresponds to a height difference between a lower end of thecircumferential portion of the rotatable wheel 200 and a lower end ofthe support protrusion 210.

With further reference to FIG. 9, a support protrusion 420 is formed onan upper surface of the frame body 410. The support protrusion 420 isformed in a circular arc shape at an inner side with a certain distancefrom an edge of the upper surface of the frame body 410.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 9, the diameter of an outer surface of thesupport protrusion 420 is smaller than the diameter of the wound part ofa torsion spring 240 such that when the rotatable wheel 200 is mountedon the frame 400, it is positioned at an inner side of the wound part ofthe torsion spring 240. A mounting protrusion 422 is formed along acircumferential direction on the inner surface of the support protrusion420 in order to allow a circular plate to be mounted thereon. Stoppingprotrusions 424 are formed upwardly at certain portions of the mountingprotrusion 422.

With further reference to FIG. 9, two movement protrusions 430 areformed on the upper surface of the frame body 410 at an outer side ofthe support protrusions 420. With further reference to FIG. 6, themovement protrusions 430 contact protruded end portions of the torsionspring 240 when the rotatable wheel 200 is mounted on the frame 400 suchthat when the rotatable wheel is rotated in either direction, themovement protrusions 430 press the torsion spring 240.

The movement protrusions 430 are respectively formed at positions wherethey selectively contact one of the ends of the hindrance protrusion 220of the rotatable wheel 200 in order to hinder rotation of the rotatablewheel when the rotatable wheel is rotated in either direction. Inaddition, the movement protrusions 430 have sufficient length in acircumferential direction to selectively contact one of the ends of thehindrance protrusion 220 of the rotatable wheel 200 when the rotatablewheel is rotated by 45° in either direction. Accordingly, when therotatable wheel 200 is mounted on the frame 400, the movementprotrusions 430 are positioned at an outer side of the wound part of thetorsion spring 240.

With reference to FIG. 10, two magnets 812 are mounted on an innersurface of the circumferential portion of the rotatable wheel 200. Onemagnet has N pole and the other has S pole. The Hall sensor 810 senses achange in a magnetic field of the magnets 812 mounted on the rotatablewheel 200 according to rotation of the rotatable wheel, thereby sensinga rotational direction of the rotatable wheel. The FPCB 800 is mountedin an initial set state such that the Hall sensor 810 is positioned at acentral portion between the two magnets 812.

With reference to FIG. 11, multiple icons 110 corresponding to variousmodes of the terminal are displayed on the display 100 for selectionaccording to a particular mode of the terminal. An indicator 120 is alsodisplayed to indicate the icon 110 corresponding to the selectedparticular mode when the rotatable wheel 200 or a key button is clicked.

When the rotatable wheel 200 is rotated in either direction, theindicator 120 displayed on the display 100 selectively indicates thenext icon 110 positioned to the left or right. The indicator 120continuously indicates the next icon 110 whenever a certain time lapsessince the rotatable wheel 200 has rotated by 45°.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, a preview image is selectively zoomedin or out by the camera according to rotation of the rotatable wheel 200when the rotatable wheel is rotated in either direction after therotatable wheel or a key button is clicked to select a camera mode. Asillustrated, the function of zooming in or out is continuously performedwhenever a certain time lapses when the rotatable wheel 200 is rotatedby 45°. An indicator 130 is displayed with the preview image on thedisplay 100 to indicate the degree to which the camera is zoomed in orout when the camera mode is selected.

Although not shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a video or a still image storedin the terminal may be displayed on the display 100 by clicking therotatable wheel 200 or a key button and the video or the still image mayalso be zoomed in or out by rotating the rotatable wheel. When therotatable wheel 200 is rotated by 45°, the video or the still image iszoomed in or out continuously whenever a certain time lapses. Also, theindicator is displayed to indicate the degree to which the video or thestill image stored in the terminal is zoomed in or out.

Although not shown in the FIGS. 11 and 12, a video or the still imagestored in the terminal may be displayed on the display 100 by clickingthe rotatable wheel 200 or a key button and the video or the still imagecan be selectively scrolled left or right by rotating the rotatablewheel in either direction. When the rotatable wheel 200 is rotated by45°, the video or the still image may be continuously scrolled left andright whenever a certain time lapses. Also, an indicator is displayed toindicate a degree of scrolling with respect to the video and the stillimages stored in the terminal.

Sounds may also be generated. The volume of the sounds may be increasedor decreased by rotating the rotatable wheel 200 in either direction.When the rotatable wheel 200 is rotated by 45°, the volume can becontinuously increased or decreased whenever a certain time lapses.Also, an indicator for indicating the volume of the generated sound maybe displayed on the display 100.

With reference to FIG. 13, a selectable menu is displayed on the display100 when a menu select mode is selected by clicking the rotatable wheel220 or a key button, In the menu select mode, a touch region 160 forselecting a particular mode is displayed at a central portion of thedisplay 100. The touch region 160 is formed in a circular shape andselectable menu icons 162 are displayed in a circumferential area of thetouch region or at an outer side of the touch region.

A pointing indicator 164 is also displayed in the menu select mode toindicate one of the icons 162 corresponding to a mode to be selected byclicking the rotatable wheel 200 or a key button. The pointing indicator164 is displayed in a particular shape, such as an arrow, at a positionwhere the icon 162 was displayed, thereby replacing the icon with theparticular shape of the pointing indicator. The icon 162 replaced by thepointing indicator 164 is displayed at the touch region 160, preferablyas an enlarged version of the icon. When the touch region 160 istouched, a mode corresponding to the displayed icon 162 displayed at thetouch region is selected.

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the pointing indicator 164 displayedon the display 100 selectively indicates the next icon 162 positionedclockwise or counterclockwise as the rotatable wheel 200 is rotated ineither direction in the menu select mode. As illustrated in FIG. 13, acalendar indicating a schedule mode is displayed at the touch region 160when the pointing indicator 164 indicates an icon for the schedule mode.As illustrated in FIG. 14, the rotatable wheel 200 is rotated toindicate an icon representing a camera mode by the pointing indicator164.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, a camera icon representing the camera mode isdisplayed at the touch region 160 when the pointing indicator 164indicates the icon representing the camera mode. When the rotatablewheel 200 is rotated by 45°, the pointing indicator 164 may indicate thenext icon 162 continuously whenever a certain time lapses.

The operation of the above-described embodiment of the invention willnow be described. In the present invention, the rotatable wheel 200 ispositioned on the rear surface of the terminal and an upper portion ofthe rotatable wheel 200 protrudes from the rear surface of the terminal.This configuration of the rotatable wheel 200 allows a user to easilyrotate or click the rotatable wheel with their index finger of one handwhile holding the terminal for easy manipulation of the terminal. Sincethe rotatable wheel 200 that operates the terminal is positioned on therear surface of the terminal, the entire front surface of the terminalmay be used as the display 100, thereby providing a larger display area.

With reference to FIG. 10, a rotational direction of the rotatable wheel200 can be sensed since the magnets 812 mounted on the rotatable wheelare rotated together when the rotatable wheel is rotated, therebycausing a change in a magnetic field at the Hall sensor 810 formed atthe FPCB 800.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 9, one of the movement protrusions 430formed on the frame 400 is caught by one end of the hindrance protrusion220 formed on the inner surface of the rotatable wheel 200 when therotatable wheel 200 is rotated by 45° clockwise or counterclockwise.This hinders rotation of the rotatable wheel 200.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 9, the protruding end portions of thetorsion spring 240 are caught and compressed by the movement protrusions430 formed on the frame 400 when the rotatable wheel 220 is rotatedclockwise or counterclockwise. Therefore, the rotatable wheel 200 willreturn to its initial set position in response to the restoration forceof the torsion spring 240 when the rotational force is removed.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, a direct frictional contact between therotatable wheel 200 and the frame 400 is prevented because the thrustwasher 470 is mounted on the frame 400 and contacts the hindranceprotrusion of the rotatable wheel 200, thereby allowing smooth rotationof the rotatable wheel. With reference to FIG. 2, the rotatable wheel200 and the frame 400 can be easily combined by fastening the fixingwasher 480 to the lower end portion of the rotatable wheel from thelower side when the rotatable wheel is mounted on the frame 400.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, elastic force is applied to the coilspring 340 when the lens cover 330 is closed. Therefore, the lens cover300 will not open if a user attempts to forcibly open the lens coverunless the corresponding force is stronger than the elastic force.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 8, the vertical movement protrusion 720moves up to slidably contact the rotary protrusion 322 as the motor 700rotates. The vertical movement protrusion 720 slidably contacts thesloped faces of the rotary protrusion 322, thereby generating ahorizontal force over the rotary plate 320 and causing the rotary plateto rotate according to the horizontal force.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the two lens covers 330 are rotatedcentering around the hinge shafts and separated from each other in orderto open the through hole formed at the fixed plate 310 as the rotaryplate 320 rotates. The lens of the camera 500 is exposed when thethrough hole of the fixed plate 320 is opened.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 8, the coil spring 340 is constricted andstores elastic energy when the rotary plate 320 is rotated. The rotaryplate 320 is rotated in the reverse direction by the elastic energystored in the coil spring 340 when the vertical movement protrusion 720moves down due to the motor 700 rotating in a reverse direction, therebycausing the lens cover 330 close the through hole formed at the fixedplate 310.

In the embodiment of the invention described above, the rotatable wheel200 is provided on the rear surface of a bar type terminal. The display100 may either be provided on a main body or on an inner surface of thefolder of the terminal, such that the display is exposed when the folderis opened, or may be provided on an outer surface of the folder, suchthat the display is exposed even when the folder is closed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, a user can easily rotate therotatable wheel 200 with their index finger of one hand while holdingthe terminal because the rotatable wheel is positioned on the rearsurface of the terminal and the upper end portion of the rotatable wheelis protrusively formed on the rear surface of the terminal. For example,a user engaged in communication using the terminal can easily rotate therotatable wheel 200 in either direction with the index finger of thesame hand hat holds the terminal in order to selectively increase ordecrease the sound volume. In addition, the user can rotate therotatable wheel 200 to manipulate the terminal while watching imagesdisplayed on the display 100 without interrupting the view because thedisplay is positioned on the front surface of the terminal.

In the terminal of the present invention, the touch region for selectinga particular mode is formed at the central region of the display in themenu select mode, selectable menu icons are displayed in acircumferential shape centering around the touch region, and an iconindicated by the indicator is displayed at the touch region.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and arenot to be construed as limiting the present invention. The presentteaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses andprocesses. The description of the present invention is intended to beillustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Manyalternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

1. A method for displaying icons on a mobile terminal having a frontside and an opposing rear side, the method comprising: displaying aplurality of icons on a display located on the front side of the mobileterminal; receiving user input responsive to user-driven rotation of arotatable wheel located on the rear side of the mobile terminal;selectively displaying, responsive to the user input, one of a pluralityof indicators within a central region defined by a generally circulararrangement of the plurality of icons, each of the plurality ofindicators being uniquely associated with one of the plurality of icons;and selectively highlighting individual icons of the plurality of iconsresponsive to the user-driven rotation of the wheel.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein each of the plurality of indicators is an enlargedversion of the associated icon.
 3. A method for displaying icons on amobile terminal having a front side and an opposing rear side, themethod comprising: displaying a plurality of icons on a display in agenerally circular arrangement, the display located on the front side ofthe mobile terminal; receiving user input responsive to user-drivenrotation of a rotatable wheel located on the rear side of the mobileterminal which is opposite to the front side on which the display islocated; and selectively displaying, responsive to the user input, oneof a plurality of indicators within a central region defined by thegenerally circular arrangement of the plurality of icons, wherein eachof the plurality of indicators is uniquely associated with one of theplurality of icons.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein each of theplurality of indicators is an enlarged version of the associated icon.5. The method of claim 3, further comprising: initiating one of aplurality of modes associated with the selectively displayed indicatorin response to sensory touching of the selectively displayed indicator.6. The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of modes comprises atleast one of: a camera mode; a music mode; a video mode; a calendarmode; an email mode; a calendar mode; and a contact list mode.
 7. Amethod for operating a mobile terminal having a front side and anopposing rear side, the method comprising: displaying a plurality oficons on a display located on the front side of the mobile terminal;receiving user input responsive to user-driven rotation of a rotatablewheel located on the rear side of the mobile terminal; selectivelydisplaying, responsive to the user input, one of a plurality ofindicators within a central region defined by a generally circulararrangement of the plurality of icons, each of the plurality ofindicators being uniquely associated with one of the plurality of icons;and indicating the one of the plurality of icons responsive to theuser-driven rotation of the wheel.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: selecting a menu mode in response to pressing a key buttonor the wheel in order to display the plurality of icons corresponding toa plurality of menu items.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:selecting the indicated icon in response to pressing a switch located onthe rear side of the mobile terminal.
 10. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: selecting the indicated icon in response to pushing thewheel.
 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising: selecting theindicated icon in response to sensory touching of the icon.
 12. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the indicated one of the plurality of iconsis an enlarged version of the associated icon displayed in the circulararrangement.
 13. The method of claim 7, further comprising: rotating thewheel to move to a next icon among the plurality of icons.
 14. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising: displaying a control indicatorfor adjusting one of volume and zooming.
 15. The method of claim 14,further comprising: rotating the wheel to adjust the volume or thezooming.
 16. The method of claim 7, wherein one of the plurality oficons corresponds to a camera mode for operating a camera.
 17. A mobileterminal comprising: a display located on the front side of the mobileterminal and displaying a plurality of icons; an input unit located onthe rear side of the mobile terminal and comprising a rotatable wheel,the input unit receiving user input responsive to user-driven rotationof the rotatable wheel; and a control unit selectively highlightingindividual icons of the plurality of icons in response to rotation ofthe wheel, the control unit controlling the display to selectivelydisplay, responsive to the user input, one of a plurality of indicatorswithin a central region defined by a generally circular arrangement ofthe plurality of icons, each of the plurality of indicators beinguniquely associated with one of the plurality of icons.
 18. A mobileterminal having a front side and an opposing rear side, the mobileterminal comprising: a display for displaying a plurality of icons in agenerally circular arrangement, the display located on the front side;an input unit comprising a rotatable wheel located on the rear side ofthe mobile terminal which is opposite to the front side on which thedisplay is located, the input unit receiving user input responsive torotation of the rotatable wheel; and a control unit controlling thedisplay to selectively display, responsive to the user input, one of aplurality of indicators within a central region defined by the generallycircular arrangement of the plurality of icons, each of the plurality ofindicators being uniquely associated with one of the plurality of icons.